#PXGTroops Deployment Grows to 12

The rumors we reported last month were confirmed today as PXG officially announced additions to its rapidly expanded tour staff.
Here’s the complete list of #PXGTroops (yup, there’s an official hashtag) joining Ryan Moore, Rocco Mediate, Beatriz Recari, and Sadena Parks:

• Zach Johnson, 12x PGA TOUR Winner
• Billy Horschel, 3x PGA TOUR Winner
• Chris Kirk, 4x PGA TOUR Winner
• James Hahn, PGA TOUR Winner
• Charles Howell III, 2x PGA TOUR Winner
• Cristie Kerr, 18 Career Wins
• Alison Lee, Rookie Year Solheim Cup Champion
• Gerina Pillar, 22 Career Top 10 Finishes

For those who can’t be bothered to do the quick math, the new signings own a combined total of 22 PGA Tour victories, with Kerr adding another 18 LPGA victories, including one already with PXG clubs in the bag.

Terms of the deals weren’t disclosed, but in everyday speak, I’m guessing we’re talking about a heaping truckload of money. One industry insider not affiliated with PXG told me that while Bob Parsons didn’t necessarily overspend, he was certainly willing to pay more than anybody else to acquire the talent for his PXG brand.

Inarguably the new signings represent a significant maneuver for a young company making its first push onto the PGA the Tour. This is the most noteworthy group of additions since Nike inked Rory McIlroy, Nick Watney, and Kyle Stanley at the start of the 2013 season. That group not only suggests the scale of PXG’s efforts, but also illustrates the inherent and sizable risks that come with signing PGA talent.

While McIlroy (currently OWGR #3) has remained one of the most dominant forces in the game (he’s won two Majors as a Nike staffer), Watney (OWGR #122), and Stanley (OWGR #409) can’t have been what Nike have hoped for. The ROI is, at best, a disappointment.

How will Johnson, Horschel, Kirk, and the rest of the group fare with their new gear?

Semi-conspicuous, though not totally surprising, is the lack of an even bigger name being added to the PXG roster. It was suggested that PXG was hoping to land an even bigger impact player, but the reality is that there’s not a lot left below Johnson in the OWGR. Most of the impact players inside the Top 10 (Spieth, McIlroy, Watson, Fowler) have relatively fresh contracts.

Not Done Yet?

As we move through 2016, keep a close on eye on TaylorMade’s big four of Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, and Sergio Garcia. TaylorMade’s ongoing cost-cutting efforts along with Parsons’s aggressive spending could ultimately land PXG a Top 5 player…maybe two.

In a perfect world, the growth of PXG’s tour brand would be tied to the success of this initial group, but history has taught us that an overwhelming number of Professional golfers are equipment mercenaries.

As long as PXG continues to outspend everyone but Nike, it will almost certainly continue to attract new #PXGTroops regardless of how the current crop fares.

For more information on Parsons Xtreme Golf, its products, and tour staff, visit PXG.com.